Animal Crossing: New Horizons – A Beginner's Guide

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a social simulation game where you develop a deserted island, make friends with adorable animal villagers, and customize your world. Launched in March 2020 for the Nintendo Switch, it quickly became a global phenomenon. This guide will help new players understand the basics, enjoy island life, and avoid common pitfalls.

Key Takeaways

• Island Living: Develop a deserted island into a thriving community.
• Villager Interactions: Befriend unique animal residents and build relationships.
• Customization Options: Design your home, island, and character to your liking.
• Seasonal Events: Participate in various in-game events throughout the year.
• Resource Management: Gather and craft items to improve your island and life.

Introduction

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a relaxing and creative escape. Unlike many goal-oriented games, New Horizons emphasizes freedom and self-expression. There's no strict storyline to follow; instead, you set your own pace and priorities. Whether you enjoy fishing, bug catching, interior design, or socializing with villagers, the game offers something for everyone.

What & Why

What is Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulation video game developed by Nintendo. Players start on a deserted island and gradually develop it by building homes, creating infrastructure, and inviting animal villagers to live there. The game operates in real-time, mirroring the seasons and time of day of the player's location.

Why Play Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

• Relaxation and Stress Relief: The game's calming atmosphere and non-competitive nature provide a relaxing escape from daily stress.
• Creativity and Customization: Extensive customization options allow players to express their individuality and design a unique island paradise.
• Social Interaction: Players can visit friends' islands, trade items, and participate in online events, fostering a sense of community.
• Endless Activities: From fishing and bug catching to crafting and decorating, there's always something to do in the game.
• Seasonal Events: Regular updates introduce new events, items, and activities, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Potential Risks

• Time Consumption: The game's addictive nature can lead to excessive playtime.
• Microtransactions (Optional): While the base game provides plenty of content, optional DLC and in-game purchases can tempt players to spend more money.
• Repetitive Tasks: Some tasks, such as collecting resources, can become repetitive over time.

How-To: Getting Started on Your Island

Step 1: Choosing Your Island Layout

When you first start the game, Tom Nook will present you with several island layout options. Consider the following factors when making your choice:

• River Mouths: The location of river mouths affects your ability to navigate the island early on.
• Resident Services Location: The placement of Resident Services is permanent, so choose an island where it's conveniently located.
• Landforms: Look for a variety of landforms, such as cliffs and ponds, to add visual interest to your island.

Step 2: Establishing Your Home

After choosing your island, you'll set up your tent. Tom Nook will then offer you a loan to upgrade to a house. Pay off your loan by earning Nook Miles and Bells (the in-game currency).

Step 3: Gathering Resources

Resources are essential for crafting tools, furniture, and other items. Common resources include: — Life Of A Showgirl: A Deep Dive

• Wood: Chop trees with an axe.
• Stone: Hit rocks with a shovel or axe.
• Iron Nuggets: Also obtained by hitting rocks.
• Clay: Found by digging in the ground.
• Branches: Pick up branches that fall from trees.

Step 4: Crafting Tools and Items

Use a crafting table to combine resources and create tools, furniture, and other useful items. Recipes can be found in bottles on the beach, obtained from villagers, or purchased from Nook's Cranny.

Step 5: Interacting with Villagers

Talk to your animal villagers daily to build friendships. As your friendship level increases, they may give you gifts, teach you new crafting recipes, or ask you to complete tasks for them.

Examples & Use Cases

Terraforming

Once you unlock the Island Designer app, you can terraform your island by adding or removing cliffs, creating rivers, and paving pathways. This allows you to completely reshape the landscape to your liking.

Interior Design

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a vast array of furniture, wallpaper, and flooring options. Use these items to create unique and personalized interiors for your home and other buildings on the island.

Creating Custom Designs

The Custom Design app allows you to create your own patterns and designs, which can be used on clothing, furniture, and flags. Share your designs with other players using Design IDs. — How To Watch Monday Night Football: Your Complete Guide

Hosting Events

Invite friends to your island for parties, fishing tournaments, or simply to hang out. Organize activities and decorate your island to create a memorable experience for your guests.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

Best Practices

• Talk to Villagers Daily: Building relationships with villagers unlocks new content and enhances the social aspect of the game.
• Check the Beach Regularly: Bottles containing crafting recipes often wash up on the shore.
• Utilize Nook Miles: Complete Nook Miles challenges to earn valuable rewards.
• Plan Your Island Layout: Think carefully about how you want to develop your island before making major changes.
• Take Advantage of Seasonal Events: Participate in in-game events to earn exclusive items and rewards.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring Villagers: Neglecting your villagers can lead to them moving away.
• Cutting Down All Trees: Trees provide valuable resources and contribute to the island's aesthetic appeal. Don't cut them all down!
• Not Utilizing the Storage: Store excess resources and items in your home storage to avoid clutter.
• Rushing Through the Game: Animal Crossing: New Horizons is designed to be played at a relaxed pace. Don't feel pressured to complete everything quickly.

FAQs

Q: How do I get more villagers on my island? A: Villagers can move in automatically, be invited from other players' islands, or be found on Mystery Island Tours using Nook Miles Tickets.

Q: How do I unlock terraforming? A: You need to reach a 3-star island rating and then talk to Tom Nook.

Q: How do I get more tools? A: You can craft tools using resources at a crafting table or purchase them from Nook's Cranny.

Q: What are Nook Miles used for? A: Nook Miles can be used to purchase items, tickets for Mystery Island Tours, and unlock various features in the game.

Q: How do I visit other players' islands? A: You can visit other players' islands online using a Nintendo Online subscription or locally via local wireless connection.

Q: How do I get more recipes? A: You can find recipes in bottles on the beach, from villagers, and by shooting down balloon presents. — Mount St. Helens Weather: Current Conditions & Forecast

Conclusion with CTA

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a delightful escape into a world of creativity, friendship, and endless possibilities. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the series, the game provides a relaxing and rewarding experience. So grab your Nintendo Switch, pack your bags, and get ready to embark on your island adventure! Start building your dream island today!

Last updated: October 26, 2023, 07:12 UTC